Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes

Toni Smithurst, Nottingham City Homes, presented an update to the Committee. An updated appendix was circulated at the meeting, and is attached with the first circulation of the minutes.

There was a discussion from the Committee and citizens regarding re-cladding of some Nottingham City Homes flats and the associated costs to owner occupiers within the blocks:

(a)  a problem has arisen due to the amount of money owner occupiers are being asked to pay for the work to be done. The problem hasn’t been solved yet but Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Homes are looking at how best to resolve it, both for this particular issue and for any works going forward in other locations. A meeting will be held with those owners affected, but there has been a scheduling issue trying to get maximum availability. The project is around insulation and efficient heating of properties, and also covers other efficiency measures such as electric buses, electric lorries, and localised efficient delivery hubs;

(b)  the works are particularly proving to be an issue for pensioners or those on low incomes, who cannot afford it. At Byron Court, owner occupiers have been advised that the costs may be close to £23,000. Many owner occupiers who are now retired or on low incomes cannot borrow that amount of money;

(c)  citizens noted that the scheme itself seems very good, but that the financial options being offered to owner occupiers are not suitable. The main options offered are returning the property to Nottingham City Homes as a vacant possession, or a loan at 4% above the base rate. These options may affect people’s retirement planning and their inheritance. Whilst Nottingham City Homes has stated they will not evict any owner occupiers for refusal to pay, they have stated that there could ultimately be court sanctions, and that they will hold quarterly budget meetings to discuss finances and ability to pay;

(d)  a citizen stated that a case in Oxford recently concluded that such charges for improvements, rather than repairs or maintenance, are unlawful;

(e)  the issue has not arisen during searches for tenants interested in purchasing their property;

(f)  citizens felt that the consultation on the scheme has not been adequate, and some residents still are not aware what the project actually is;

(g)  Toni Smithurst advised that whilst she does not work in the section responsible for these issues, she can feed the concerns back to the appropriate team.

(h)  there has been some positive feedback from those tenants who have already had these works completed, homes are now good quality, warm and well insulated. It is an excellent scheme for local residents aside from the charging issue.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the performance information in appendices 1 and 2 of the report;

(2)  note the allocation of funds for 2017/18:

Ward  Budget  Approved   Committed   Remaining Budget

Dales  £111,649.46  £0  £0  £111,649.46

Mapperley  £56,822.32  £4,939.00  £4,939.00  £56,822.32

St Ann’s   £130,876.44  £37,753.85  £37,753.85  £94,728.84;

(3)  approve the Area Capital Programme funding request at 6 Dooland Drive, for the removal of a wall and the installation of new gate as a reasonable adjustment for a disabled tenant at a cost of £2,734.60.